Can a Politician Win Without Wall Street?

Introduction

Doug Mills/The New York TimesPresident Obama at a fund-raiser at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York in 2009.

The vast amounts of money spent in the Wisconsin recall election is probably an example of what to expect on the national stage for November’s election. Already the Obama and Romney campaigns, and affiliated super PACs, are pouring cash, much of it from wealthy donors, into advertising efforts in key swing states.

At a time when economic inequality is very much on people’s minds, is it possible to win elections without tapping into the “1 percent,” who can provide unlimited money to the super PACs? And if it’s not possible, how can candidates avoid being beholden to the rich and to Wall Street?